Bristol Area Lion John Janell (left) thanks Midcoast bureau news reporter Don Carrigan for discussing “Goings on at the State House.”

On Monday, Oct. 16, WCSH 6 & WLBZ 2 Midcoast bureau news reporter Don Carrigan discussed “Goings on at the State House” a topic chosen by the Bristol Area Lions. In addition to Midcoast news, Carrigan covers political campaigns and other issues.

In 1991, Carrigan joined the staff of U.S. Senator Bill Cohen, working on a variety of issues affecting Maine. In 1994, he returned to broadcasting, becoming Executive Producer of Public Affairs for Maine Public Television.

Carrigan anchored the weekly MaineWatch and monthly Capitol Connections programs and moderated dozens of political debates, as well as producing a number of documentaries and other specials.

Carrigan talked about Maine’s problem with an aging population and that Lincoln County is setting the pace with the oldest population. As employees retire from the workforce there is a lack of qualified replacements. When looking for work, the younger generation are attracted to an urban setting. Maine only has two such places, Portland and Bangor, which are thriving. That is not the case in the Damariscotta region or other places in Maine.

Carrigan cited Masters Machine in Round Pond needing help to do precision machining and Volk Packaging in Biddeford making cardboard boxes, where much simpler skills are needed. A lack of help is restricting their growth.

How do we keep young people here? What programs will the new candidates for governor offer?

Now that Susan Collins has decided not to run for Governor, there are nine Democrats running, four Republicans (including Shawn Moody), two Green Party candidates, a Libertarian and an Independent (rumored to be backed by Elliot Cutler). However not all of them will obtain the necessary financing to run in the June primary.

A discussion of rank-choice voting followed, which is the current law voted in by referendum. The majority of the Lions supported it, having heard a presentation on its merits in 2016.

Two of the ballot questions in the upcoming Nov.7 election were discussed – building a casino in York County and expanding Medicare. There appears to be a lot of advertising for the casino with little opposition. Has Bangor reaped the promised benefits from its casino? On the Medicare question, it will cover those aged 18-65 who meet a certain income requirement and opinions appear to be split along party lines.

The next club meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6 at the Willing Workers Hall in New Harbor. The guest speaker will be Jack Kennedy, a Nobleboro resident who winters in Bali who will discuss his program to eliminate malaria.

To make dinner reservations for that meeting, call Herb Watson at 677-6191. To learn more about the Bristol Area Lions Club, serving Bristol and South Bristol, call Walt Johansson at 677-2584.